Throughout the course of a lifetime adversity is bound to strike at one moment or another. With that being said, the most important question you need to ask yourself is “What am I going to do about it”? From experiencing homelessness in high school, not having my parents physically present, leaving Arizona State for a junior college, and dealing with injuries during my collegiate career, I’ve learned to accept adversity knowing that it only makes you a stronger person. When I got to Arizona State on scholarship out of high school I thought the problems I was enduring were over. Come to find out, it was only the beginning. From having to recover from multiple injuries and my chances of playing becoming slim, I decided that taking a step back and reopening my options by going the junior college route would give me a fresh start. I received backlash from loved ones and peers but I knew deep down this was what I needed to do. I ended up winning a national championship in junior college as well as receiving a scholarship to play at San Jose State. Most importantly, I earned my bachelor's degree in Justice Studies. Since graduating, I decided to gain some case management experience at the Midnight Mission and PATH organizations dealing with homeless services. I'm currently in the process of obtaining my master's degree in Social Work with the ultimate goal of obtaining my LCSW. Looking back on the journey I’ve been through makes me realize the amount of grit and resilience I’ve developed. I play the cards I’m dealt and make the best out of the situation I’m presented with. I’m ready for my next challenge!